Faceoff Factor

Flyers Make Steal of a Deal

Mike Adams | National Hockey League

Jun 18, 05:27 PM | Hype this story!

tsn.ca is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers have acquired defenseman Kimo Timonen and forward Scott Hartnell from Nashville in exchange for a first-round pick that originally belonged to the Predators. That is quite simply a steal for the Flyers, who then probably overpaid the going rate to sign both players.

Timonen signed a 6-year, $37.8 mil contract, while Hartnell inked a 6-year deal worth $25.2 mil. This takes two significant players out of the free agent pool, and likely ups the ante for the remaining unrestricted free agents like Sheldon Souray.

Since March, Flyer GM Paul Holmgren has been like a thief in the night, preying on David Poile in Nashville. He has essentially stolen four players (the aforementioned two, plus Scottie Upshall and Ryan Parent) from the unsuspecting Poile, while giving up only a third round draft choice.

From Nashville’s perspective, the deal is eerily reminiscent of the Jaromir Jagr salary dump by the Penguins in 2001. They basically got nothing in return for two guys they were going to lose anyway due to the messy ownership situation. It sure looks like the Preds have thrown in the towel and are really going to let the team stink this season so no fans will come out and then Jim Balsillie can move them to Hamilton. Sad to see.